Roderick Bajada (born 4 January 1983 in Ħamrun,

Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...

) is a retired professional

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby le ...

who played as a

midfielder A midfielder is an outfield position in association football. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...

Playing career

Ħamrun Spartans

Roderick began his career playing for his hometown club of Hamrun Spartans during the 2000–01 season. During his debut season, Bajada made six appearances, but failed to score, as Hamrun Spartans finished in 6th position in the Maltese Premier League. Bajada went into the 2001–02 season and established himself as first team regular in the Hamrun Spartans squad. He helped the team to another 6th-place finish in the Maltese Premier League, making 19 appearances but again failing to find the net. The 2002–03 season was Roderick's third season with Hamrun Spartans, the club slipped into the relegation pool, but managed to finish the season in 7th position, with Bajada making 24 appearances and scoring two goals. Roderick's last season with Hamrun Spartans was the 2003–04 season. He 23 appearances and scored two goals, but unfortunately Hamrun Spartans finished rock bottom of the Premier League in 10th position, and were condemned to relegation to the

Maltese First Division The Maltese Challenge League (referred to as the BOV Challenge League for sponsorship reasons) is the second-highest division in Maltese football, behind the Maltese Premier League. The First Division was the precursor of the present Premier L ...

Msida Saint-Joseph

Following the relegation of Hamrun Spartans, Bajada joined Msida Saint-Joseph for the 2004–05 season. He helped his new club narrowly avoid relegation with an 8th-place finish in the Premier League that season, making 18 appearances and scoring two goals. The 2005–06 was Roderick's second season with Msida Saint-Joseph, it also turned out to be his final season with the club, as he left during the January transfer window of 2006, he made 12 appearances, scoring four goals. Msida Saint-Joseph went on to 6th finish the season in position in the Premier League that season.

Sliema Wanderers

Roderick Bajada joined Sliema Wanderers from Msida Saint-Joseph for the second part of the 2005–06 season. It was almost the perfect finish to a season, but the club narrowly missed out on the title to

Birkirkara Birkirkara (abbreviated as B'Kara) is a city in the central region of Malta. It is the second most populous on the island, with 24,356 inhabitants as of 2020. The town consists of five autonomous parishes: Saint Helen, Saint Joseph the Worker, Ou ...

by two points, as the club finished in 2nd position. Bajada made 13 appearances and scored one goal. Roderick's first full season with Sliema Wanderers was the 2006–07 season. Sliema Wanderers recorded another 2nd-place finish, but were well beaten in the race for the title as winners

Marsaxlokk Marsaxlokk () is a small, traditional fishing village in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It has a harbour, and is a tourist attraction known for its views, fishermen and history. As at March 2014, the village had a population of 3,534. The ...

finished 11 points clear of their nearest rivals, Bajada made 26 appearances and scored four goals throughout the season. For the 2007–08 season, Roderick again made the first team on a regular basis, as Sliema Wanderers finished in a disappointing 4th place by their own high standards, and Bajada again making 26 appearances and scoring four goals. Roderick continued to be an integral part of the Sliema Wanderers squad. Bajada made a total of 25 appearances and scored one goal for the 2008–09 season, and although the team finished 5th in the Premier League, Roderick helped the club win the U*Bet FA Trophy, as they defeated

Valletta Valletta (, mt, il-Belt Valletta, ) is an Local councils of Malta, administrative unit and capital city, capital of Malta. Located on the Malta (island), main island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east, i ...

in the final on penalties to win the trophy. After being scouted by an unknown young football talent for a school project in three games at the end of 2011 including Floriana, Marsasxlokk and Mqabba, he has been fantastic. Moreover, he has been scoring goals for The Blues in order to preserve their mid table battles.

Marsaxlokk

During the close season Sliema Wanderers signed Clayton Failla and

Ryan Fenech Ryan Fenech (born 20 April 1986 in Ħamrun, Malta) is a retired professional footballer where he played as a midfielder. Playing career Ħamrun Spartans Ryan Fenech joined Ħamrun Spartans as a trainee, and made his debut for the club during t ...

, leaving Bajada's first team opportunities limited, he decided to join

on a season long loan, his new club were due to start this season in the Premier League, however following a guilty verdict on corruption case from the previous season, Marsaxlokk were demoted to the Maltese First Division. Roderick carried on the 2009–10 season in the First Division with his new club.

Valletta

In January he joined Valletta on a loan from Sliema Wanderers. He also became a Physics Teacher at Zokrija School.

Tarxien Rainbows

On 27 August 2012, he joined Tarxien Rainbows on a free transfer.

Honours

Sliema Wanderers

* 2009

Maltese Cup The FA Trophy, currently known as the IZIBET FA Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual football cup competition that takes place in Malta. The cup was founded in 1933; following a match between England and Italy, played in Rome in May 1933, ...

Marsaxlokk

* 2009/10

Career statistics

''Statistics accurate as of match played 1 August 2009.''

External links

Roderick Bajada at MaltaFootball.com
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bajada, Roderick Living people 1983 births Maltese men's footballers Malta men's international footballers Ħamrun Spartans F.C. players Msida Saint-Joseph F.C. players Sliema Wanderers F.C. players Marsaxlokk F.C. players Valletta F.C. players Tarxien Rainbows F.C. players Qormi F.C. players Pembroke Athleta F.C. players Żebbuġ Rangers F.C. players Maltese Premier League players Men's association football midfielders